TRIBUTES have been paid to a beloved doctor who "gave his life to helping others" and was the inspiration behind the Bangor Alaw cancer unit.

Dr Tom Korn died peacefully in the early hours of Thursday, November 8, aged 81, following a short illness.

He was a Consultant Haematologist, first at the Caernarfon and Anglesey Hospital, Bangor and subsequently at Ysbyty Gwynedd.

He came to North Wales in 1975 after completing his training at the Middlesex Hospital in London.

In Bangor, he was responsible for developing the treatment and care of patients with blood diseases and other forms of cancer.

He established the Gwynedd Haematology and Cancer Relief Fund and later persuaded the Gwynedd Health Authority to launch an appeal to raise one million pounds to build a new Haematology and Cancer Treatment Unit at Ysbyty Gwynedd.

His colleague and friend Dr Huw Parry, said: "The appeal was so successful under the direction of Dr Jim Davies and Dr Korn that £1.4 million was raised and the new Alaw unit opened in 1999. Dr Korn retired at the age of 70, after a long and successful career."

According to his daughter Julia: "He was a wonderful dad and granddad, and he committed his entire life to caring for people, especially his wife and grandchildren," she said.

"He was an only child and enjoyed being around people, He was very sociable, loved entertaining, loved his dogs, and walking in the country side."

Tom was born in London, on October 22, 1937, and grew up in Leicester. His family came from Germany in the 1930s to escape Hitler. Educated at Rugby School, he spent his military service on Anglesey.

He trained as a doctor at the Middlesex hospital, where he met his wife Mary in 1963, they were married in 1965. After his marriage he spent a six week secondment as a ship’s doctor in the West Indies.

Dr Korn worked as a house doctor at the Middlesex until 1975 then moved with his young family to Anglesey to become the first Consultant Haematologist at the Bangor C&A Hospital.

Dr Parry added: "Tom was 100% committed to his patients and would work long hours to secure the best possible care both in terms of personal attention and in securing better services for the people of Gwynedd and Anglesey.

"He tried to retire at 60 but missed his work so much he went back part time until he was 70."

Dr Korn enjoyed crewing for his wife Mary, who was a horse rider competing in the Welsh and Irish Endurance Teams, well into her 60s and 70s.

Following his wife's riding accident in August, 2017 he was focused on her recovery and rehabilitation in Stoke and at Ysbyty Eryri.

His own illness was diagnosed on July 1, 2018, and he was also treated at Ysbyty Eryri , where he died peacefully.

He is survived by his wife Mary, two sons, one daughter, three grandsons and two granddaughters and his dogs Snap and Puddle. His eldest son Andrew Korn died following an illness in 2005 leaving a fiancé and baby son.

Julia said: "The family would like to thank the commitment and dedication of the staff at Ysbyty Eryri and other health and social care teams for looking after Tom.

"We are also immensely grateful to the amazing and supportive circle of friends and relatives for the help and support they have given."

Dr Korn's funeral is at 11am, Monday, November 19, at Bangor Crematorium. Family flowers only, and donations for the Wales Air Ambulance, Ysbyty Eryri League of Friends and Gwynedd Haematology and Cancer Relief Fund.